There once was a guy named dude. He was cool as shit ETC. Yep.
The field of intelligence is a vast and continuously growing entity, comprised of a myriad of government agencies, private firms, and non-profit organizations. The growth and trajectory of this field are directly affected by technological developments, such as advanced satellite technology and weaponry, as well as world events, including terrorist attacks and regional/national conflicts. The field has been glamorized by Hollywood representations of “CIA spies” such as Clancy’s Jack Ryan, as well as the classic James Bond idealization. Beyond this hype, the intelligence field offers some great careers for interested and qualified individuals. The big question is, however, HOW DO YOU BREAK IN? Perhaps you have spent countless hours trying to figure out how you fit into an intelligence career, or perhaps you have determined your strengths and you know what career you want to pursue, but are not sure how to best prepare for a career in this field.
The intelligence sector offers many different types of career paths, including careers for engineers and computer scientists, among other specializations. In my previous white paper on career advancement in the strategic security sector, I provided an overview of careers available in the intelligence field. The purpose of this paper, however, is to enlighten you as to how you can best prepare yourself to get a job as an intelligence analyst in this competitive field – whether it is working for a government intelligence agency or a job in the private sector. In the next few pages, I outline the intelligence field along with the types of jobs available to individuals who want to pursue a career as an intelligence analyst. Next, I lay out some important issues to consider when preparing for such a career, including what steps you could take to make yourself more knowledgeable and, thus, more marketable as an intelligence analyst. Finally, you will find a...